Urgent warning about $850 relief check scam | #phishing | #scams | #education | #technology | #infosec

MAINE’S attorney general issued a warning to residents about scammers posing as IRS agents to defraud people.

The state is sending out more than 850,000 stimulus checks this summer, and scammers are calling Mainers under the guise of gathering info to send out the money.

Scammers have reportedly asked for sensitive information like Social Security numbers.

The state attorney general’s office said that scammers claimed the information was necessary to process the stimulus checks, but in reality, Maine residents do not need to take any action.

“Maine Revenue Services already has all the information it needs to issue these relief checks, so no one should need to share any information to collect this check,” Attorney General Aaron Frey said.

“As always, do not share any identifying information with anyone demanding such information over the phone without independently confirming their identity.”

Maine set up a portal for residents to learn more about identity theft and report any cases.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of identity theft, you should also report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

Maine stimulus checks

Around 850,000 residents in Maine will get $850 checks this summer.

Residents must file their state individual tax returns by October 31 to qualify for the cash.

Individual taxpayers must have an income of less than $100,000 to qualify for the payment.

Meanwhile, the threshold is $150,000 for heads of households and $200,000 for couples that file jointly.

Joint filers will be able to get $1,700 in relief payments.

The state expects to distribute the checks in June.

Meanwhile, millions of taxpayers in Illinois are in line to get payments worth up to $400 this year.

And lawmakers in Delaware passed a bill that will send residents checks of up to $300.